27 July, 2009
sunday nite, 'allo and 'hipleys
After many months missing, finally a sunday nite @ gallos. Rocky, Lucia di Lammermore, and Little Lucio were sharing sunday supper. Pasta and meatballs. Beets before, crunchy w/ breadcrumbs. Had no appetite, but gulped it down. I'm in that part of the summer where I don't eat.
Three kids bounding. The more the better - it as fun to have - to me - the mix of kids about. Had hung w/ ORF's daughter for a bit before I got to evanston - she had a paint fest, so I left there w. 'paintd' nails. Good kids all.
I drank. Brought up sixs of Guiness and Cider and went about mixing them. Rocky had one - it took longer to corectly pour it than for him to gp it down. Good Lord. The others drank wine. Again, I kinda just hung there - everyone was having a good time, me included. Forced the Sox on while we were eating - no on minded. Lucia and Lucio left early - too bad, but i guess it was late for the kid. When Rocky got back, Gallo put in the "screen tests" from warhol backed by music of Dean and Britta. Incredibly kool. I think it was 13 different 3m shots in b/w of a persons face - Some I dunno, but i did know Lou reed, nico, and Dennis Hopper. I stayed real late. Shipley and Gallo had seen britta and dean perform live in front of a giant background of the screen tests. Tests them selves are great - the music fit well.
Shipley slept. Rocky left. Gallo and I alone, reading. I really want to make some sorta joke - but the reference will only be understood by gallo and misunderstood by all others, so .....
Three kids bounding. The more the better - it as fun to have - to me - the mix of kids about. Had hung w/ ORF's daughter for a bit before I got to evanston - she had a paint fest, so I left there w. 'paintd' nails. Good kids all.
I drank. Brought up sixs of Guiness and Cider and went about mixing them. Rocky had one - it took longer to corectly pour it than for him to gp it down. Good Lord. The others drank wine. Again, I kinda just hung there - everyone was having a good time, me included. Forced the Sox on while we were eating - no on minded. Lucia and Lucio left early - too bad, but i guess it was late for the kid. When Rocky got back, Gallo put in the "screen tests" from warhol backed by music of Dean and Britta. Incredibly kool. I think it was 13 different 3m shots in b/w of a persons face - Some I dunno, but i did know Lou reed, nico, and Dennis Hopper. I stayed real late. Shipley and Gallo had seen britta and dean perform live in front of a giant background of the screen tests. Tests them selves are great - the music fit well.
Shipley slept. Rocky left. Gallo and I alone, reading. I really want to make some sorta joke - but the reference will only be understood by gallo and misunderstood by all others, so .....
25 July, 2009
24 July, 2009
23 July, 2009
21 July, 2009
Sunday the Pitchfork : "C'm'on"
Sad day, slipping by, seems all is slipping by, but nicely done way to slippin away bye bye. More of what happened the past few days - frenz found, easily rather, blankets and chairs under smallish trees - both rain and shine proofers, music listened to and enjoyed, eatings and drinkings, walkabouts, bittle little children - but not so ittybitty as 'aust 'ears Pitchfork, on fixture figures gazed fully usually, and music.
This Sunday was to be sentered around the Vivian Girls and Grizzly Bear w/ a helping of Flaming Lips - but it was the helping that was best overall. Got there 'bout 3, immediately found mes amis under the little trees, and hung. Was sitting w/ frenz when grizzly bear came on. Now, I really like their one very famous song - but blanx beyond that. When they came on, they went into the song - pretty soft, intricate, hushes important sorta style - here is this song, via someone else, ut in half, sorry:
This Sunday was to be sentered around the Vivian Girls and Grizzly Bear w/ a helping of Flaming Lips - but it was the helping that was best overall. Got there 'bout 3, immediately found mes amis under the little trees, and hung. Was sitting w/ frenz when grizzly bear came on. Now, I really like their one very famous song - but blanx beyond that. When they came on, they went into the song - pretty soft, intricate, hushes important sorta style - here is this song, via someone else, ut in half, sorry:
Beautiful, huh, despite the terrible footage? I loved it, and totally got into it. But successive songs lacked - mita been the afternoon outdoor setting, my natural tiredness, or theirlack - but after four songs or so, I moved back to the frenz section.
Vivian Girls were next up. They were playig @ the small stage, and I as able to get up a lot closer to see the. I loved one song by them, Where do you run - Big John had put it on a mix cd in December and that was the best song on it - and really wanted to hear it - but it was never to be. They played a nice set - but it is obvious that that is their best song over all. Too bad. However, theyw ere good to see. they sounded good, and the bassist was even more exciting to , um, watch on stage. Here - someone elses, too:
one thing about both groups - the big open outdoor stage was seemingly a difficult transition fromthe smaller stages they typically play(I know they've played other fests, too). id like to see both bands again in a smaller place.
And then there was Flaming Lips.
I'd seen them in the 90's - they opened for some old band or other, maybe twice - in the sorta smallish arena that i've just said id like to see Vivian Girls and Grizzly Bear in. And I dont remember those shows. Bput Flaming Lipps in a giant crowd - and theyre GREAT. How did that happen? I'd read over the years about their live shows, the special character of them, the fan following - but paid no mind. So, I stuck around just to watch the last show of the weekend - and was amply amped after. Eyes opened.
Eyes opened by many things. So depraved I am, but ist gut so. Flamping lipps are famouse fo inviting fans onstage in costume - and lucky my eyes, because one of the sets of costumes tonite were skimpy little outfits for the girls on one side of the stage. Me, w/out a good sit of them, realised that if im to get a view of them, I'd have to close the stage immediately. So, droped off frenz and came up on near the dansers - but dehind them. i needed to see their fronts!! So, immediatelt I had to make a total cirrcut of the giant crowd and come up on the other side of the stage- but here, a clear view of wonderful skimply attaired beauty. My ten minute march and counter march had won me this skirmish.
My favourite song, Im embarrassed to amidt since its so popular, is actually "Jelly". Silly song, but the band ca be silly - it gave the ok, and the band rocked hard enough to commission that silliness. I'd forgottn for so long what a great song 'tis. here:
and then there was the last song:
Closer to a great weekend. A lot of talk of love in the air, from the stage and other. After the show ended, the remaints of our lilttle group remet @ the fall back position. Good. We slowly packed up. We said our goodbyes as each left. i was pretty depressed - deeply, actually - and the goodbyes had a real melancholy air about them. @ last, @ least in my corner, it was William Randolh Heurst and I - south towards the bike park where his was, our paths finally diverged w/ a hug and "Soon" - and I had to mopecrawldragshuffle to the Strasser - and set sail south.
If I was the Whermacht 'round about now this context seems to be playingout in my life. Sad as it was, ending to the shows was ok. Reentry outta pretend park sorta mindset not looked forward to as i trudged.
Klas later that nite
Klas calling. Pithfork's interest for us this nite collectively faded 'round 7pm, and I walked to my familier pkg space and then Eisenhauered out west to Klas on 22d in Berwyn. At this poin, I knew i wasn't going to go onstage. I had tried to plan a big skit and music filled prformance akin to last years - and it as real fucking hard to come up w. ideas - until the last month or so forced me to come up with ideas as the immenance of the event drew hyper close. But life and my spirit disallowed me to follw this plan - or plans - and eventually I decided to reuse a song id done lasy year but never done onnstage - "hijingle" and a skit of a presidential news confernce. But further life and spirit problems eventually convinced myself to cancel all events by me. Part of this miserable month and several months before have drained all of th idependent action out of me. I would go - but couldnt perform.
Klas was nice. There were a lot more people there this year - more strangers and more strange bands. this is a good thing - plenty of my frenz showed up, and I think its always a sgood thing for different people to mixx. The outdoor space, w. the Hen and Eddie Curry's Favourites 45ing and 33 1/3rding music out to us relaxing masses outdoor patio enjoy the kool weather and chill w. frenz and a drink. Klas is such a key space.
Bands?? Silly Joel were new and unknown to me. Weightmen - great. Magik Lasso - finally performing after cancelling last year. And then there was me ...
The frist deal was of course the depression. it'd scuttled any chance of anything resembling last years performancce of the Battle of the Denmarck Strait, as noted above. Instead of 25m of sevral distinct skits swen to-gether a la lastyear - I was down to a single song. I just wasn't able to mobilize myself @ all. Then Chemical Man - who was supposed to drum - begged out for family reasons. All rasons not to play. But when I got to klas, I simmered down. again, close embrase of frenz helped. But maybe the manic cycle that can run in me switched back to "up" - as ".stress Dreadloxx Yessica" pointed out. So, the miserable deression gave way to hapy mania upedness - just in time, really.
The second deal was the deal about the main stage. Last year I was granted some space @ the beginning of the whole show. I loved it, and made a fool of myself for 25m. But some, understandablity, were a little, you know, appreciative of the show but mindful it could give offence to others. So, this year, instead of main stage, Iw as given a room of my own. At first, i spent a lot of energy devising ways to disobey - i had ideas - but in the end the attempt to put on a show - let alone a show displaying disobedience - were felled by my spirits. And, as it turned out, on the day of the show the fact that on of the organizers had an important cliet - and didnt want him shocked - was cool.
Until, you know, the mania thing...
Gf came, she was a welcome site. Peole sent me love and "cant waits" for my act - I felt bad I was gonna let them down. And my spirit returned. So I decided to scale down my act to a sinlgle song and made it ok in my mnd so that It would be easy to get through. I was gonna go. I needed a drummer - and when i asked Liz, she immediately said Yes. She's very kool - I loved her immediate assent when she realised what i was asking for. Since she is a real drumer, the sound of her smashing and snares and cymbols and all i knew would improve my vocal gymnastics. So - it was a go.
And then a mishap happened - Processed's left handed bass blew, and a new left hannded bass - a 32m return trip away - was needed. So, suddenly my sloppin about onstage could be givena good directive - waste time! - and lotsa pressure for whatever reason went away. So, there were two parts of the Battle of the Denmarck's act in Klas3 - the 'guilt' part, mainly adlibbed -and the song. The guilt part went well - how could it not? Plus that lovely experience as a teacher kicked in. Rite quickly, since I'd step up from the microphone and run into the audience to adress them directly - the crowd went quiet. Since I knew that a quiet audience was paying attention audience - I got lots confidence and just went forward. Kool.
The song also went well. this is the original, seen her before. Yes, offensive.
Klas was nice. There were a lot more people there this year - more strangers and more strange bands. this is a good thing - plenty of my frenz showed up, and I think its always a sgood thing for different people to mixx. The outdoor space, w. the Hen and Eddie Curry's Favourites 45ing and 33 1/3rding music out to us relaxing masses outdoor patio enjoy the kool weather and chill w. frenz and a drink. Klas is such a key space.
Bands?? Silly Joel were new and unknown to me. Weightmen - great. Magik Lasso - finally performing after cancelling last year. And then there was me ...
The frist deal was of course the depression. it'd scuttled any chance of anything resembling last years performancce of the Battle of the Denmarck Strait, as noted above. Instead of 25m of sevral distinct skits swen to-gether a la lastyear - I was down to a single song. I just wasn't able to mobilize myself @ all. Then Chemical Man - who was supposed to drum - begged out for family reasons. All rasons not to play. But when I got to klas, I simmered down. again, close embrase of frenz helped. But maybe the manic cycle that can run in me switched back to "up" - as ".stress Dreadloxx Yessica" pointed out. So, the miserable deression gave way to hapy mania upedness - just in time, really.
The second deal was the deal about the main stage. Last year I was granted some space @ the beginning of the whole show. I loved it, and made a fool of myself for 25m. But some, understandablity, were a little, you know, appreciative of the show but mindful it could give offence to others. So, this year, instead of main stage, Iw as given a room of my own. At first, i spent a lot of energy devising ways to disobey - i had ideas - but in the end the attempt to put on a show - let alone a show displaying disobedience - were felled by my spirits. And, as it turned out, on the day of the show the fact that on of the organizers had an important cliet - and didnt want him shocked - was cool.
Until, you know, the mania thing...
Gf came, she was a welcome site. Peole sent me love and "cant waits" for my act - I felt bad I was gonna let them down. And my spirit returned. So I decided to scale down my act to a sinlgle song and made it ok in my mnd so that It would be easy to get through. I was gonna go. I needed a drummer - and when i asked Liz, she immediately said Yes. She's very kool - I loved her immediate assent when she realised what i was asking for. Since she is a real drumer, the sound of her smashing and snares and cymbols and all i knew would improve my vocal gymnastics. So - it was a go.
And then a mishap happened - Processed's left handed bass blew, and a new left hannded bass - a 32m return trip away - was needed. So, suddenly my sloppin about onstage could be givena good directive - waste time! - and lotsa pressure for whatever reason went away. So, there were two parts of the Battle of the Denmarck's act in Klas3 - the 'guilt' part, mainly adlibbed -and the song. The guilt part went well - how could it not? Plus that lovely experience as a teacher kicked in. Rite quickly, since I'd step up from the microphone and run into the audience to adress them directly - the crowd went quiet. Since I knew that a quiet audience was paying attention audience - I got lots confidence and just went forward. Kool.
The song also went well. this is the original, seen her before. Yes, offensive.
Had to teach Liz the very basic parts - but really, if it fucked up, no one wold notice. To rotct myself further than just having Liz beind me - I masked up my face and made sure it was as silly as possible. Went well, and even though plans for klas3 were huge, ill take thhis years results as ok.
Hung a long time. Walked out w/ Gf and went home.
Hung a long time. Walked out w/ Gf and went home.
20 July, 2009
Pitchfork the Saturday, 2009 // saturday part one
This day especially I wanted to get to Pitchfork for day2 early 'cause I knew that I was going to klas later that nite. However, I lag about and retracing yesterdays route to the almost exact pkg space gets me into the fest @ 3.30 or so - just in time to find our space under the trees - and say hello to one of Crankface's old guitarists, Stickwife, and son. kool. and that music .. after touching base w/ all 2 base camp, my sittin camp relaxing ears here The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. I like. sounds ral good. So good, I finally realise that I should ditch camp and squattle over and see. And am rewarded. See - one could hear just about as well in base camp as to where I went. But my real physical act of walking 100 yeards over betwixt peoples and blankets and porta potties forces me to flush out all conversation and pretence of anything else except to listen and watch and enjoy.
And be deeply rewarded, in a way no other group did this wkd - it turned me onto something unknown before Friday.
Oh - it made me the butt of jokes. When i piped up that this was rad, a Smiths crack was made. Then Gunners, admidst the crowd, seconded the Smiths crack by saying that the people next to him had just made the more or less same joke. And a fine joke it was.
here's more:
There were other groups and sounds to be had: Bowerbirds, Pony tail, Doom, etc - but besides Pure, this was for me - and, it turned out, lots of my frenz - a lite nite. To make it to Klas and Gf, I wanted to leave 'round 7pm or so. I left it to 7.30p. And - strangelt to say - most of the people did the same. For whatever reason, nobody was all that enthused for the nites sechedule - and tho' there were some stayers - we all sorta tramped out @ once.
It was a worrisome day. I was suposed to go on stage this nite to do a performance @ Klas - but have taken so many terrible body blows lately, I decided to pull a "Magik Lasso" and cancel myself. I still wanyted to go - but so deeply depressed any semblence of me being out there on stage - not likely this lifetime.
But, again, like last nite, I took solace in the prtetion of the tribe. there they were, all around me. There were the seats, the blankts, the little kids, the beers, the people to watch, and frenz. Despite it being April 1945 and I'm defending Berlin, I made it to Pitchfork, w conversent to all the poeple who my paths crossed w/ unexpectedly - cousins, frenz, coachs, etc etc... I ate, drank a bit, and enjoyed Pure.
Pitchfork on a Friday / 2009
Well, in the midst of my mal summer, up popps Pitchfork music fest all weekend. Sumptous linuups each day - but especially this first day. And it was Jesus Lizard that carried the day - indeed, won the entire weekend w/ but some several songs from their set - so powerful the start.
It was a lovely weekend. William Randolph Heurst has a deep connexion = the dude who runs the park where the musicfest is held each year. So = heavvy tonnes of us get guest listed each summer. And this is an added wonderous treat = Pitchfork's whole deal is divinely divine. The line ups are ace, the site is friendly, chill, and imporved each year, the crowds are funky as hell and the chix belle and clothed as well. And given that a bunch of us go each year - more and more adorned, this Young Guard production, with children and children to be. So, a family type squat appears each year on the Saturday and Sunday in the shade of some sunny trees, blankets and chairs and beers and schedules strewn about our temp. home. I've really gotten used to this - come to look foward to it each year. A tonne of us showed u this year - though not everyone each day. So W.R.H. our good shepard and 'host', the Gunners, the Jokers, Smokey Treats, Guitars, Chartman, Chicken Balls, The Vampires, Sister Bex, Dragon, and even Neice.2 for the second year in a row on Friday. Lazers and Graf Spee, two of the soccer coaches from my school, Cousin Namesake, some gil in yellow, and more - never met up w/ Rocky, though. A kool thing we noticed is that where our crowd sits there are others who also come yar after year after year and sit in our general area. Pretty kool.
So - Friday - I was late, and got there after much endless wrangling on the phone and internet trying to secute a ticket for my neice. Got access to Gf's - she didn't go the whole wkd - and gave that to Neice.2 - but another was needed for her friend. eventually Kat clued me in that Big John had an extra - and Joker was arrieing @ 1900h w/ two more. Ticket secured.
Again - maximally late running, missed Tortoise, nicked in for yo La tengo. Sorta. I'd just gotten in and had to say my hallo's to this that and everyone. Find my neice, corral the other peope ... that said, Yo La Tengo sounded sweet. I've always liked them, and always put on a good show.
But there was one band that I ally wanted to see to-nite - The Jesus lizrad. It used to be that they played so often in Chicago (or close, like Dekalb or St. Louis) back in th day that I've seen them 25x or so - but not in the last 11 years, since they havent played in that long. I was worried that outdoor crowd- not sweaty club - would not be the proper atmosphere for this type of show - but whatta ya know??
It was a lovely weekend. William Randolph Heurst has a deep connexion = the dude who runs the park where the musicfest is held each year. So = heavvy tonnes of us get guest listed each summer. And this is an added wonderous treat = Pitchfork's whole deal is divinely divine. The line ups are ace, the site is friendly, chill, and imporved each year, the crowds are funky as hell and the chix belle and clothed as well. And given that a bunch of us go each year - more and more adorned, this Young Guard production, with children and children to be. So, a family type squat appears each year on the Saturday and Sunday in the shade of some sunny trees, blankets and chairs and beers and schedules strewn about our temp. home. I've really gotten used to this - come to look foward to it each year. A tonne of us showed u this year - though not everyone each day. So W.R.H. our good shepard and 'host', the Gunners, the Jokers, Smokey Treats, Guitars, Chartman, Chicken Balls, The Vampires, Sister Bex, Dragon, and even Neice.2 for the second year in a row on Friday. Lazers and Graf Spee, two of the soccer coaches from my school, Cousin Namesake, some gil in yellow, and more - never met up w/ Rocky, though. A kool thing we noticed is that where our crowd sits there are others who also come yar after year after year and sit in our general area. Pretty kool.
So - Friday - I was late, and got there after much endless wrangling on the phone and internet trying to secute a ticket for my neice. Got access to Gf's - she didn't go the whole wkd - and gave that to Neice.2 - but another was needed for her friend. eventually Kat clued me in that Big John had an extra - and Joker was arrieing @ 1900h w/ two more. Ticket secured.
Again - maximally late running, missed Tortoise, nicked in for yo La tengo. Sorta. I'd just gotten in and had to say my hallo's to this that and everyone. Find my neice, corral the other peope ... that said, Yo La Tengo sounded sweet. I've always liked them, and always put on a good show.
But there was one band that I ally wanted to see to-nite - The Jesus lizrad. It used to be that they played so often in Chicago (or close, like Dekalb or St. Louis) back in th day that I've seen them 25x or so - but not in the last 11 years, since they havent played in that long. I was worried that outdoor crowd- not sweaty club - would not be the proper atmosphere for this type of show - but whatta ya know??
Two of the three openers were my songs - "Puss" (above, and btw, i love the guys who took the videos chatter when David Yow charges into the crowd to start the song off = "OHHH YYEEAHHH WOOOO!!!" - i felt the same) and "Mouth Breather". And - I have to confess - i wasnt in the crowd watching up close during "Puss". I was on a beer run w/ some of the lads when they came on. Across the park, as that endemically familier riff went up across the place, it was just so easy to move and sway and let go and really just dance wherever I was - well, the beer line, the food courts, the walk back to where peoples were hanging out wathing the show etc etc etc. And dance I did.
Manic day. Deeply down day- yet wild letting go with Jesus Lizard playing. Past few weeks have been pretty terrible. It's all just going, it seems, and with spurs. But again entombed away within the group, excited to see me and have me be there, me feeling the familiel love, allowed to me to be ok for a nite. This nite. But, despite my terrible troubles of peter pan, i loved this nite. In the midst of chaos, I felt lucky, punk.
14 July, 2009
13 July, 2009
we are the piggs
Piggish day in evanston on a Saturday in July closest to Bastille Day. I'll cop to being down in spirits on this day - my usual summer wilt has raced through me good and better - paralysising these days. Sad 'cause no Gf - she is missed these days - but carry on I must. It's a long fucking ride up to Evanston - and I have to collect Neice.1 and Jacob on the way. Neice.1 is babysitting Blurry and Proud Gallo, and jacob was there to get himout of his SRO hovel. Neice.1 did well - she stayed later then me. jacob didn't - he left eary when I couldn't even see him leave.So. I brought nothing, except some tea and sympathy for fellow travellors. And soccer balls so we could play. But mainly I just kinda hung on the perpherials, trying not to talk to anyone for too long, wandering off, wandering back, and again refusing talk.
Oh - im being a bit of a hypocrit - I did well and talked and talked and talked - but my main emphesis was the marathons of indecision and apathy and fear and loss running on the courses of my mind.
But - I felt good. I felt ok. I was surrounded by my frenz - lots of them - and a meandering talk to him and her and him and her was not taxing. It was made easy for me, and no one hassled me.
We ate. Again, i grought notheing except myself - no food, no drink. I ate and drank little, but it was all charity. I'm on summer appetite - meaning i eat about a half a meal a day (as opposed to three squares). No big deal, its all familier territory - but boy I got snagged on some latin styled chicken. Then, knowing I could pass it up, i bunned up some of Gallo's grillige and chewed that down (all that shit was SO GOOD - Sausage, chix, etc.... these fucks can grill)
And we played soccer. For the thrid year we got the ballgame going out inan outdoor patch of level ground. The last two years spirited games featuring tough play and lots of injuries took place -not this year! Lotsa kids played, and I think poeple were just scared off - lots of players from years past ignored the call up. Shit even I - 12,000,000 more athletic than 98% of the people there, think twice these days. (True - rarely do I really practice with the kids - usually old man off to the side ordering....).
Great showing. Not all went- most notably GF - but there were tonnes. I wont bother to list - check out Rocky's flxxy jixx. But there came the time when I just had to set sail and split - I had tixx to the fire game and wanted to make the match. Gallo called me out on this - what, I had to make every match? But on this nite I did. It sucked. I would hav eliked to stay. But I had to keep on keepin on. I had to go. I would be by myself for an hour drive to the Fire house. I would be able to go back to my crib - by myself - and prepare to go out again - by myself and sit - by myself and a book - @ Lanigans and have a few lonesome drinks.
But only two - hangover taught me well to watch.
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